Senior guard BJ Francis polishes the 6A Region I area championship trophy following Friday's Waxahachie win. (Kirk Holt/KBEC Sports)

No. 11 Waxahachie downs No. 24 Coppell in 6A area championship

Travis M. Smith February 29, 2020 Boys Basketball, Waxahachie High School 1,326 Views

By Travis M. Smith | KBEC Sports

In one of the more physical basketball games of the season, the Waxahachie Runnin’ Indians defeated Coppell on Friday to win their first 6A Region I area championship.

The Runnin’ Indians converted on 11-of-their-12 free throws in the fourth quarter to seal the 63-51 victory.

This is, of course, just the second year for Waxahachie in Class 6A. Eventual state-champion Duncanville knocked the Runnin’ Indians out of the 2019 postseason in the bi-district round.

Waxahachie carried a 32-25 lead into the half and then outscored the Cowboys 30-26 in the second half.

CJ Noland converted on five-of-his-seven second-half free throws en route to a game-high 16 points.

Jalen Lake scored 12 of his 14 points in the first half, while Preston Hodge scored 10, with eight of those coming in the second half.

AB Shorter scored seven points for the Tribe. BJ Francis and Chris Pace each scored four and Sammy Kaoud added two.